1. PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY
ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL TO SA/EU TRADE DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT (TDCA)
MS. NIKI KRUGER
CHIEF DIRECTOR: TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
Tel:

2. Outline of the presentation
Background of the TDCA
Scope of the TDCA
Objectives of the TDCA
Benefits of the TDCA
EU enlargements
Opportunities and Challenges
Consultations
Implementation
Conclusion
Global Governance Committee

3. Background of the TDCA
SA-EU trade relations are governed by the TDCA which provides for the establishment of a FTA over a transitional period of 12 years.
The TDCA is one of the most ambitious cooperation agreements ever concluded with a third country.
Entered into force on 1 May 2004 and the full implementation of the TDCA has been effective since end of 2012.
The agreement provides for the liberalisation of 95% of the EU’s imports from SA within ten years, and 86% of South Africa’s imports from the EU in 12 years, which came into full effect in 2012.
Tariff cuts as set out in SA’s trade offer are implemented by SARS.
Agricultural quotas are administered by DAFF.

4. Scope of the TDCA
The scope of the Agreement covers about 90% of current trade between SA & the EU.
Agreement covers a wide field of cooperation, which includes:
Trade related issues like competition and intellectual property.
Financial assistance & development cooperation.
Economic cooperation: facilitating the restructuring & modernization of SA industry etc.
Political dialogue: respect for human rights, support for democracy etc.
Total trade between South Africa and the EU continues to increase since the TDCA was signed with trade growing from R 150 billion in 2000 to R 497 billion in 2014.
South Africa’s exports to the EU increased from R 64 billion in 2000 to R 197 billion in while imports from the EU increased from R 86 billion in 2000 to R300 billion in 2014.Total trade has grown by 231% since the agreement was implemented in 2000.
Despite the fact that SA is experiencing a negative trade balance, exports to the EU have been increasing steadily over the years. SA exports to the EU increased from R64 billion in to R197 billion in 2014(thus exports increased by an average of 207% over 14 years).
Mineral products, vehicles and machinery have remained the main exports to the EU while Machinery, chemical products and vehicles remain the main imports

5. Benefits of the TDCA
Agreement is legal instrument that binds SA’s trade relations with the EU
TDCA has realised an Improved market access for both sides since the agreement has been implemented
TDCA was one of the first trade agreements signed with a developed economy since post democracy and has set the footprint for follow up trade agreements

6. EU Enlargement
The TDCA makes provision for the development of Additional Protocols to ease the smooth accession of new members into the EU and also for the extend of trade preferences.
Since the TDCA was signed, there has been three EU enlargements with the last occurring on 1 July 2013 when Croatia joined the EU. The others include:
2004-Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia
2007-Bulgaria and Romania
Hence the presentation today for ratification of the Protocol to include the latest country to accede to the EU
The Additional Protocol creates a legal basis for the extension of the TDCA to include Croatia.
It will ensure that Croatia benefits from the TDCA and that SA’s exports gain preferential treatment into Croatia.

7. Opportunities and Challenges
Like any market opening exercise, the EU enlargement will lead to a competition challenge for SA economic operators but also a bigger opportunity to export.
Currently the EU accounts for 40% of South Africa’s total trade and with the current Enlargement the EU population will increase by more than 4 million, thus providing an even larger market for South Africa’s exports.
Albeit it from a very small base, it is expected that the TDCA will have an overall positive impact on trade between SA and Croatia.
SA’s main exports to Croatia include mineral products, base metals, prepared foodstuffs, beverages, cement, asbestos and vegetable products; while Croatia exports textiles, machinery & mechanical appliances, vehicles and wood to SA.

8. Opportunities and Challenges
Further opportunities exists for SA in sectors such as agricultural, machinery, transport and electrical equipment which SA exporters can exploit once South Africa’s preferential access into Croatia comes into force.
The accession of Croatia to the EU has the potential to create jobs in various sectors and foster economic growth.
In addition, it will spur growth in overseas markets for SA made products and generate opportunities for South African workers by creating new jobs.
It is anticipated that there will be more opportunities than threats for SA as a result of Croatia’s accession to the EU.

9. Consultations
Prior signing the Protocol, DTI consulted with National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) on the accession of Croatia to the EU.
Industry representatives identified no sensitive areas and agreed with the signing the Additional Protocol to Croatia.
DTI also consulted with other stake holders namely DIRCO, DOJ, DAFF and SARS
Presidential approval was obtained for Minister of Trade and Industry to sign the Additional Protocol to include Croatia.

10. Implementation
As implementing agent, SARS will implement the agreement once it has been ratified.
SARS will implement the Additional Protocol within its current organizational framework.
SARS will publish the date for the implementation of the Additional Protocol to the TDCA once it has been ratified by the Parliament.
the dti will inform the relevant stakeholders and economic operators of the date for implementation of the Additional Protocol through the use of various media houses and Export Councils.

11. Conclusion
There is no envisaged drastic change over the short to medium term in South Africa’s trade and economic relations with the EU as a result of Croatia’s accession.
As the EU is South Africa’s largest trading partner, there is a fair level of market penetration and the framework for duty free market access is already in place, thereby offering those companies trading with the EU a seamless expansion to the Croatia market.
The inclusion of Croatia in the TDCA creates a number of new opportunities for South African companies to expand their exports to Croatia or to establish a new export market.

12. Acronyms used DTI –Department of Trade and Industry SA-South Africa
EU –European Union
SARS –South African Revenue Service
TDCA –Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement
DAFF- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
DIRCO-Department of International Relations and Cooperation
DOJ-Department of Justice
NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council)

13. THANK YOU